Middlesbrough FC defender Ben Gibson is relishing the prospect of welcoming the likes of Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp to the Riverside next season.

And the battling 23-year-old insists he "won't be fearful" if pitted against Manchester United's new recruit Zlatan Ibrahimovic either.

Gibson will link up with the rest of his Boro teammates on Monday at Rockliffe ahead of a crucial pre-season campaign - and the England Under-21 international can't wait to test himself against the world's best in 2016/17.

Playing in the Premier League

"I can't wait (for Monday). I knew from when I was a little boy that I wanted to play at the very top level.

"I don't rest on my laurels. My dream was to play for Middlesbrough, tick that dream off, get out of the Championship, done that. The next dream is to play in the biggest league.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

"I said to my friends 'We're back in the Premier League. The best managers in the world: Klopp, Guardiola! Conte! Mourinho!

"I could be playing Zlatan! He'll get some grief at the Riverside. I won't be fearful but I will be nervous because I care."

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Friends in the England camp

"Eric (Dier) texted me congratulations. 'Absolutely made up for you, can't wait to see you at the Lane next season'.

"God, yes. We're going to White Hart Lane, to all the big boys.

"Eric was one of the best players last season. He's got everything - raw hunger, strong, athletic, looks after himself physically, he's a bit of a beast, very technical for a big player, he can run, head.

Harry Kane (Image: Getty Images)

"Harry (Kane's) a great lad too, so down to earth, working hard every day. The same way as Jonny Wilkinson practised kicks, kicks, kicks so Harry practises shooting, shooting, shooting.

"(John) Stones is fantastic coming out with the ball, so comfortable. I'd love to play with Stonesy again. We could develop a good partnership - I'd cover.

"It frustrates me when our country gets on his case. He's a very talented individual, he needs encouraging. If he was at Barcelona they wouldn't be getting on his case.

"Gerard Pique didn't do well in England and look at the career he's had. If we are going to be successful, we have to change."

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Managers who've helped him progress

"I've been lucky my managers have all been centre halves. Tony (Mowbray) used to tell me I need to be stronger in the air.

"He used to have a chain on the ball in the back garden and would practise jumping and heading it, pull the chain and the ball would go higher. I got dad to fix one in the back garden.

Tony Mowbray

"The new manager (Aitor Karanka), a more technical player, taught me about stepping in. He's a perfectionist.

"There was a bit of a fall out (with the squad in March) but it shows to the players how much he cares. When players give opinions that he doesn't like, that shows the players care. I care. I'm not very pleasant if we've lost."

Woody's guidance

"I've learned an awful lot from Jonathan Woodgate, who's really good at reading the game.

"He put together a DVD for me of Thiago Silva, Pepe and Sergio Ramos stealing the ball off attackers high up the pitch, nicking things off strikers' toes, reading the pass across coming in, getting in early, being a front-foot defender.

Jonathan Woodgate

"In the changing room after the game against Brighton (in May), Woody said: 'You could have pinched the ball off (Tomer) Hemed in the 77th minute'.

"He said that in the middle of the champagne flying around. 'Your'e unbelievable', I said.

"But that shows what's required. Woody's been to the top, Real Madrid, the most gifted centre-back of our times if he hadn't had injuries. He knows how to bring the best out of people."

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Gareth Southgate

"My favourite player growing up was Gareth Southgate. I love a leader and he encapsulated everything that was good about Middlesbrough.

"He took us to Carling Cup glory, to the UEFA Cup final, so it was brilliant ending up working with him. My biggest upset was when we didn't do well in the Under-21s (last summer). I felt I'd let him down.

"He's like a father to every player. He's not a manager who works by fear. He's the nicest man, honest, good principles.

"His knowledge and decision-making are good. I loved him as much as a person as a player. He was my hero really."

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Desperate for England success

"It is frustrating (witnessing influx of foreign players coming into the top-flight). It may be one reason why England struggle in tournaments.

"I'd like to see English players get more opportunities in the Premier League and Championship for our country to benefit.

"We have talented players in this country, they just need educating and the opportunity. You need brave managers.

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"Mauricio Pochettino has done it at Spurs and Southampton and reaped the rewards.

"I want to play for England, every little boy's dream, and play for the biggest clubs in the world."

Family influence

"From a little kid, no matter how well I played, my dad said you could have done better. Hard work's been instilled in me by my family.

"You have to give everything to get something. My family are from an area of Middlesbrough, Park End, full of hard-working good people but there are nicer areas to live.

"My uncle (Steve Gibson) was there. They were sharing a bedroom in a very small house. He wasn't good at school but made a business (Bulkhaul) out of nothing, now one of the best businesses in the world.

Steve Gibson and Juninho celebrate winning the Carling Cup

"He constantly feeds that club. In '86 we nearly died. He saved Boro. When the club got relegated (in 2009) people said: 'He's got the money, why are we not spending as much money as Arsenal?'

"As a kid, I used to read fans' forums saying 'Why can't we have a Russian owner or one from Dubai?'. But with all respect, we are Middlesbrough.

"What Dubai owner wants to come and live in the North-east to own Middlesbrough? We're lucky to have him. What he's done is phenomenal."